Differentiated networks: equilibrium and efficiency

A-Tier
Journal: RAND Journal of Economics
Year: 2008
Volume: 39
Issue: 3
Pages: 747-769

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We consider a model of price competition in a duopoly with product differentiation and network effects. In the efficient allocation, both networks are active and the firm with the highest expected quality has the largest market share. To characterize the equilibrium allocation, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for uniqueness of the equilibrium of the coordination game played by consumers for given prices. The equilibrium allocation differs from the efficient one for two reasons. First, the equilibrium allocation of consumers to the networks is too balanced, because consumers fail to internalize network externalities. Second, if access to the networks is priced by strategic firms, then the product with the highest expected quality is also the most expensive. This further reduces the asymmetry between market shares and therefore social welfare.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:randje:v:39:y:2008:i:3:p:747-769
Journal Field
Industrial Organization
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-24